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Vol.1 , No. 2, Publication Date: Jul. 7, 2014, Page: 35-39
 in a termitarium. Monthly visual estimation of the stakes was done in accordance with ASTM D 3345/1980 rating scale and gravimetric weight loss assessment carried out after 6 and 12 months of exposure. Results showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the resistance of the species to Macroterms sybhylinus a native of subterranean termites identified on the site. It was discovered that species in higher density classes exhibited greater resistance and density was found to have a higher correlation coefficient of 0.91 with loss in weight after the exposure period. Other factors such as presence of toxic extractives and age could also be responsible for higher resistance. This study proved the inevitability of protection strategies for all the wood species regardless of density class using appropriate technologies to ensure a longer service life and sustainable management of our forest resources.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/903.jpg)
| [1] | Owoyemi J. M., Forestry and Wood Technology Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. |
| [2] | Olaniran O. S., Forestry and Wood Technology Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. |
Natural resistance of some wood species used prominently in the Nigerian construction industries to termite was examined in this study. Wood samples were collected from a Sawmill in Akure and cut to stakes of 35 × 35 × 450 mm which were to be buried half way in the soil, their density was determined and classified across three density classes; high, medium and low. They were exposed to subterranean termites attack for 48 weeks (12 months) in a termitarium. Monthly visual estimation of the stakes was done in accordance with ASTM D 3345/1980 rating scale and gravimetric weight loss assessment carried out after 6 and 12 months of exposure. Results showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the resistance of the species to Macroterms sybhylinus a native of subterranean termites identified on the site. It was discovered that species in higher density classes exhibited greater resistance and density was found to have a higher correlation coefficient of 0.91 with loss in weight after the exposure period. Other factors such as presence of toxic extractives and age could also be responsible for higher resistance. This study proved the inevitability of protection strategies for all the wood species regardless of density class using appropriate technologies to ensure a longer service life and sustainable management of our forest resources.
Keywords
Natural Resistance, Subterranean Termites, Wood Density Weight Loss, Graveyard Test
Reference
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